Projection & AV Glossary

A

Acoustically Transparent (AT)

A projection screen surface designed with tiny perforations or weave patterns to allow sound to pass through from speakers placed behind the screen.
See also: Perforated Screen, Rear Projection

Ambient Light Rejection (ALR)

A screen material engineered to maintain contrast and brightness even in environments with high ambient light.
➡️ Related: Projection Surfaces

ANSI Lumens

The standardized unit of measurement for projector brightness. A higher lumen rating means the projector can perform better in brighter rooms.

Aspect Ratio

The proportional relationship between a screen’s width and height (e.g., 16:9 widescreen, 4:3 standard). Getting this right prevents black bars or wasted screen space.
➡️ Related: Ultimate Buying Guide

B

Blackout Backing

A layer added to some projection surfaces to block light from passing through from behind, improving contrast.
➡️ Related: Projection Surfaces

Borderless Screen

A frameless or edge-to-edge projection screen design for modern, immersive setups.
➡️ Related: Custom Solutions

C

Contrast Ratio

The ratio between the brightest white and the darkest black a projector-screen system can display.
➡️ Related: Projection Surfaces

Cross-Rental

When AV rental companies share or sub-rent inventory to cover large events.
➡️ See our Rental & Staging Screens

D

DISCAS (Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems)

AVIXA’s standard for calculating optimal screen size.
➡️ Related: Ultimate Buying Guide

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

A projector technology that uses tiny micromirrors to reflect light and create images.

E

E-Z Fold® Frame

A portable folding frame system designed by The Screen Works®. Lightweight, durable, and easy to assemble. Comparable to Da-Lite Fast-Fold®, Draper FocalPoint® or Stumpfl Monoblox®
➡️ Explore: E-Z Fold Frames

F

Fixed-Frame Screen

A permanently wall-mounted screen with a rigid frame.
➡️ Related: Custom Screens

Flight Case

A heavy-duty, wheeled case for transporting screens and frames. Also known as a Road Case.
➡️ Available with: Truss Screens

Front Projection

Projection where the projector is in front of the screen.
See also: Rear Projection

G

Gain

The measurement of how reflective a screen surface is compared to a neutral reference (1.0).
➡️ Related: Surfaces

H

Hot Spotting

A distracting bright glare on a screen caused by uneven reflectivity.
➡️ Reduce with: Matte White Surfaces

L

Lace & Grommet

A method for attaching a projection surface to a frame using cords and grommets.
➡️ See: Replacement Surfaces

Laser Projector

A projector that uses a laser light source.

Lens Shift

The ability to move the projector lens physically without tilting the projector.

M

Masking

Black borders or panels that adjust a screen’s visible area to match different aspect ratios.
➡️ Related: Custom Screens

Matte White

A standard surface with wide viewing angles and neutral color reproduction.
➡️ Explore: Matte White Surfaces

P

Perforated Screen

A screen with tiny holes allowing audio to pass through from behind. Also called Acoustically Transparent.
➡️ Related: Custom Surfaces

Portable Screen

A foldable, lightweight screen designed for quick setup and transport.
➡️ Explore: E-Z Fold Screens

R

Rear Projection

Projection from behind the screen, keeping projectors hidden from view.
➡️ Explore: Rear Projection Surfaces

Replacement Surface

A new surface installed into an existing frame, regardless of manufacturer.
➡️ Order: Replacement Surfaces

Rigging Points

Designated spots where screens can be hung or supported.
➡️ See: Truss Screens

S

Screen Diagonal

The size of the screen measured corner to corner.
➡️ See: Buying Guide

Seamless Screen

A projection surface manufactured without visible seams.
➡️ Explore: Custom Solutions

Single-Tube Frame

A lightweight, portable aluminum tube frame.
➡️ Explore: E-Z Fold Frames

Staging

The setup and operation of AV equipment for live events.
➡️ See: Rental Screens

T

Tensioned Screen

A surface held taut to eliminate wrinkles.
➡️ See: Lace & Grommet Surfaces

Throw Distance

The distance between projector lens and screen.

Truss Frame

A heavy-duty frame system for large rental & staging setups.
➡️ Explore: Truss Screens

U

Ultra-Short Throw (UST)

A projector that produces a large image at very short distance from the screen.

Uniformity

The evenness of brightness across the screen surface.
➡️ Achieved with: High-Quality Surfaces

V

Viewing Angle

The maximum angle viewers can sit from center without losing image quality.
➡️ See: Matte White Surfaces